"Just plug in a webcam and you too can be a successful cam model," they say. But ask any cam model and they’ll tell you it’s not that easy. Camming today also isn’t what it used to be many years ago. There’s now a lot of technology out there that can make your shows look better or add elements of interactivity.
Just buy what the popular models have and it’ll work, right? They seem to have the best laptops, DSLR and capture card for webcams, studio lights, etc. and the list goes on. Or do they? The costs can be staggering to get the best of everything the top models have. Also, without a proper understanding of the tech you are buying, or having good tech strategy from a trusted friend, this can be an endless money pit without any guarantee of success. In fact, nothing but your determination and consistency can guarantee your success.
The more we are ourselves, the happier, more realistic and relatable we become.
Spending all this money with the hopes to be like the top models often leads to disappointment. Trust me, I’ve wanted all those fancy things before, but it wasn’t until I worked with a tech expert to realize that all the bells and whistles aren’t really the things that drive popularity. Although my equipment is specifically selected and carefully tweaked, the streaming setups I use always stay on the simple side, with not a lot more than a decent laptop and a high-quality USB webcam. Whenever someone asks me what I use, they always respond in disbelief and then proceed to buy all sorts of equipment they don’t really need.
The secret to success is really no secret at all. We all seem to forget that the single most important thing to successful camming is ourselves — not in the foolish kind of way where the room becomes nothing but token begging, but where we let our own personality and unique qualities shine. Let’s be honest, simply copying what other models are doing without making it your own just makes things boring (i.e. everyone is doing it). It can also add unnecessary stress to the already stressful job of camming, because it’s unnatural and just might not fit our own style. It might take time but you have to have patience and find a way to do only what makes you feel comfortable, so that you can also enjoy it.
The more we are ourselves, the happier, more realistic and relatable we become. This will eventually lead to more people wanting to participate as part of your audience, all while keeping camming fun and rewarding. Viewers seek happiness and interaction when they browse rooms and when the experience is enjoyable, it attracts more viewers and ultimately, higher quality regular tippers as well as friends that keep the room alive. This is not to say you must put on a smile, pretend to be happy when you aren’t, and try to please everyone. The key is to be your genuine self with your viewers and staying positive. Be silly, be yourself and don’t be afraid!
So where do things like tech fit into this? Surely you have to have something to meet a level of quality, right? Yes, but it’s all about balance — having just the right amount of gear within your budget to enable you to be closer with your viewers. This could be as simple as making sure your video doesn’t lag and that the image quality is at least HD 720p — something almost any average laptop and webcam currently available can do.
But beyond this, focus on finding your natural persona, because no matter how much you want to, you cannot change how people react. What you can change is how you respond and how much you allow others to affect you. The viewers who like your style will eventually find you and word spreads quick if you remain true to yourself, genuine and attentive to your room. Only use technology and other items to bring out the best in you and augment the viewer experience, not the other way around. Do what makes you happy and you will attract people that will make you happy! We are different — you won’t ever be able to be liked by everybody. Ignore those who try to bring you down or try to tell you to change simply because you don’t satisfy their desires, but accept constructive criticism and try to improve yourself constantly.
Final words … it’s all about you and your personal style. This is one of the reasons why you always hear show hosts being called “personalities,” because it really is the personality of the host that drives the show. This hasn’t changed ever since entertainment has existed and is a timeless concept that remains true today. Nothing you can buy or copy from someone else will ever really make the show for you — you have to be the personality to drive your show. And remember, don’t give up!
Caylin is a cam model and clip artist who can be followed @Caylinlive on Twitter, Chaturbate.com/Caylin (where she has 1 million followers) and CaylinLive.com.
